Shane Lore

[Art credit: Daniel Eskridge, Uktena; Daniel Eskridge – Official Website (pixels.com)]

[Note: Numbers below correspond to the map found on the main page.

Regarding demons, none is more notorious than Uktena. Uktena is the Horned Serpent, whose forehead bears a large, red-tinted crystal called Uluˆn˜suˆ’tı, or “transparent.” Some are red and some are white. Uktena means “the keen-eyed,” and the first one was a man or fairy transformed into a giant monster snake by the Little Men (probably other fairies). They created this monstrosity to get revenge against a demon who claimed dominion over the sun (possibly the infernal light bearer himself, Lucifer, or Satan) and who had sent a plague that caused sickness and death at noon every day (some say this devil was seen at Tsukilunnun’yi, or “where he alighted,” because a flying giant with head ablaze landed where two small bald spots are on the side of the mountain at the head of Little Snowbird Creek, SW of Robbinsville in Graham Co. He stood there and burned the foliage off). The Uktena creation failed to unseat the flaming devil, and another snake-like demon accomplished the task. Uktena grew jealous and became dangerous, and so he was banished by the spirits to Galunlati (probably Hell). However, he generated others of his kind and left them behind. They hide still in deep pools in rivers in the Ohio Valley watershed (which encompasses all of Tennessee (except West Tennessee) and large portions of the Midwest, up past Pittsburgh) and about lonely passes in the high Smoky Mountains (299). These places were called by the Cherokee “where the Uktena stays.” Uktenas enter the Underworld, and all the spiritual realms, chiefly through portals within caves under rivers and lakes, and through springs at the summits of mountains or high hills.

• 68. Tsukilunnunyi, “where he alighted,” or its vicinity (edge of Graham Co., NC, SW of Robbinsville):

The Uktenas manifest as massive snakes, sometimes as big as a tree trunk, with a horned head and a bright, shimmering red diamond on the forehead, and scales that glitter like sparks of fire and shoot out sparks of light when they first fall from the Uktena. Uktenas are ringed or spotted the length of their bodies. An Uktena can only be wounded by shooting its seventh spot from its head, under which is its heart and life force. The Red Man of the Lightning is considered an enemy of all Uktenas despite the lower Thunders fraternizing with them (300). Uktenas can control lesser serpents and spur them to attack humans (459).

The Ulunsuti of the Uktena: Dangerous and Powerful Talisman

The diamond on its head is called Ulunsuti, or “transparent.” The diamond causes a man to lose all sense, though, and many times such a one runs toward the Uktena instead of away and so is killed. The demon exhales pestilential vapors that are deadly (like the Lernaean Hydra, killed by Hercules). Seeing one, even a sleeping one, can kill not only the hunter but also his family. Scales and fragments from Ulunsuti are like crystals, and it sometimes leaves scales behind in caves. Gallant warriors can procure these through battles with Uktena. The crystal relics of Uktena’s scales and especially of the Ulunsuti, “the transparent,” are conduits of Uktena’s power and can be used to help defeat or ward off other Uktenas. The scales radiate light flashes, at least when they are fresh from the Uktena. When burnt to a coal and wrapped in deerskin, they can reward the owner with abundant game when hunting, though they may make people sick if kept inside a home. Some say they promote healing and virility. They can be put in water, then that water bathed in, to give invulnerability in battle for oneself and those under one’s command (394). These powerful crystals were buried with their owners usually. They are made of quartz, fluorite, or calcite. The Ulunsuti, however, may be a red rutilated quartz stone. It is described as triangular, 2 inches long, flat on the bottom, with slightly convex sides tapering up to a point, perfectly transparent except a single red streak in the center from top to bottom.

[Image Credit: Red Rutile Quartz, similar to the Ulunsuti, https://www.geologyin.com/2024/01/rutile-quartz-types-formation-colors.html.]

While fragments of the scales are somewhat common, one of the few known pieces of an Ulunsuti ever brought back was by a warrior named Agan-uni’tsi that is hidden in a cave in the Appalachian Mountains, wrapped in a whole deerskin and stored in an earthen jar. It must be carried in a circular buckskin pouch with a little red pigment and kept out of houses. To use it, it must be fed with blood of small game every seven days, and twice a year with that of large game like a deer. If this is neglected, it will satisfy itself with the blood of the one attempting to use it, or with that of one of his family. To avert this, the Ulunsuti must be told that it will not be needed for a long time. It will then go dormant. No one should venture near it, especially White men, for fear of sudden death. The hiding place must be changed every so often so that it does not learn how to escape.

The Ulunsuti that was found was supposed to have been buried with the conjurer who last used it, but if not it may still slumber in its hiding place. On Rattlesnake Knob (or Atsi’lawa’i, “Fire Relative”), in Swain County, a ball of fire has been seen to fly through the air from the direction of Highlands, in Macon County, and alight upon this peak. It is an Ulunsu’ti that was hidden at the summit, which, once the owner died, has ever after issued forth at night to search for him (404-5). One Ulunsu’ti was buried with its discoverer and conjurer in the town of Tomassee on Tomassee Creek near Seneca, SC, on the west side of the town under the great cabin or seat.

An Ulunsu’ti has powers of granting success and telling the future and will allow one to control the Little People. Gazing into the stone will cause a white or red blood-like streak to appear. Only the Cherokee priests could harness its witchcraft, which also allowed the conjurer to sick an Uktena on his enemies with a certain curse. It is used to divine lifespans by gazing into the crystal and seeing the person or event reflected there, near the top or bottom (for death closer in time or further, as the case may be). Some Cherokee consulted it before going to fight in the War between the States, and its predictions came true (461). It goes without saying that a Christian should avoid the Ulunsuti and cross himself if he is somehow ever in its presence. Contact with one may necessitate an exorcism on a person or place.

• 69. Site of the hidden Ulunsuti: described as being a mountain east of Oconaluftee River about 2 miles NE of Cherokee or Yellow Hill; but it seems to actually be west of the river and NW of Cherokee; it’s a 4,300-ft peak north of Nettle Creek and east of Deep Creek, at the western end of Long Drive Ridge, NE of Backcountry Camp 54 called Rattlesnake Knob (the closest landmark is Backcountry camp 54 in the Park):

• 70. Site of Destroyed Tomassee Town, where lived a powerful conjurer who owned an Ulunsuti, which he buried here (outside Tamassee, SC):

How You May Encounter an Uktena

Uktena was born of rageful jealousy, and so its clandestine operation is to lavish barbs of avarice and jealousy at men in its vicinity. It doesn’t usually physically attack the spiritually weak because the inspiration of jealousy within such a one is a much more effective way to spiritually poison its prey. Saints and those who have mastered themselves and become passionless, or gained holy detachment, are the ones who are granted the horror of seeing the physical manifestation of Uktena and experiencing bodily danger from them. See the life of St. Anthony, who frequently physically contended with demonic forces, or that of St. George, who slew a dragon that might have been a physically manifested demon. Demons act in this way because they sense their indirect spiritual attacks will not work on those who are purified. Purification, then, leads to the highest levels of spiritual delight and the vision of God (such as the vision promised to the Cherokee by God of the eternal heavenly lake—Atagahi—for those of pure heart who climb Clingman’s Dome), but also to the greatest and most violent attacks by evil spirits, who “take their gloves off” at that point, as it were. It’s reported people and/or fairies can be turned into Uktenas through attachment to sin (304).

Enemy of the Uktena: The Fearsome Tlanuwa

One Uktena was killed in a battle with the Tlanuhwa (Tlanuwa), the giant hawklike bird spirit-guardian which resembles a red-tailed hawk. The Tlanuhwa had stolen the Cherokees’ children and taken them back to its lair, Hogahega Uweyu i, a cave along the Little Tennessee River (the Wanegas). The Tla’nuwa cave is halfway up a cliff face, on the north bank of Little Tennessee River, a short distance below the entrance of Citico Creek (land at one time owned by Col. John Lowrey, a Cherokee officer). (Just above that but on the opposite side of the river, is Utlunti’yi, haunt of the cannibal liver eater, Spear-finger.) The Cherokee men, in the act of rescuing their children, took the unhatched Tlanuhwa eggs and tossed them into the river. An Uktena started devouring them, attracting the attention of the Tlanuhwa, who attacked the Uktena. After an extended combat, the Tlanuhwa ripped the Uktena’s physical manifestation into four pieces and tossed them about the country. The Ulunsuti stone was also hurled haphazardly, and landed somewhere among the cliffs and coves of the Little Tennessee River. Explorers still seek its hiding place to this day. One should look for the place where the rocks near the river are stained red, for this was the blood of the Uktena that spattered. This Ulunsuti is most likely nearby that place. This place is opposite the mouth of Citico Creek, in Blount Co., on the north bank of the Little Tennessee, but it may be submerged now that the river has been damned. The rocks bear long trench-like depressions where the Uktena chunks were dropped (466). Though the Tlanuwa were rumored to have disappeared at this time, leaving for the fairy or underworld permanently, Daniel Boone reported seeing one on the Tennessee River near this area during his lifetime. The Tla’nuwa can speak to men. If one steals one of their feathers, it will turn into a stone (316). It’s also more likely that the Tla’nuwa still exist because the shamans still invoke them in spells (397).

• 71. Vicinity of the Tlanuwa nest (possibly submerged today?). This place is nearly opposite Citico, on Little Tenn. River, just below Talasee ford in Blount Co.

Hunting the Uktena of Fort Mountain

The most celebrated killing of an Uktena was by the Shawnee medicine man Aganunitsi, who was captured by the Cherokee in battle. He escaped torture from them by promising to find and kill an Uktena and bring back the Ulunsuti, despite the immense danger. He began at the northern edge of Cherokee country and worked his way south through the Great Smoky Mountains. He encountered fantastical large beasts, some no doubt demons, but mocked them all. He explored remote balds, breathtaking gaps, and the deepest depths of the Hiwassee River, but found only massive wild beasts and no Uktena. At the northernmost gap in the Smokies (the far northern border of Cherokee country), there was a monster blacksnake, guardian of that brood of snakes. The next gap to the south was home to a similar spirit, a great moccasin snake. The next gap down housed a similar green snake spirit. Next was U’tawagun’ta, Bald Mountain, where was a great diya’hali (lizard), basking in the sun. Next at Walasi’yi gap was a great frog. Next was Duniskwalgun’yi, Gap of the Forked Antler, where some unknown giant reptile guardian lived (and probably still lives).

• 72. This may be the place where he saw the great black snake (one of the northernmost gaps in the historical Cherokee realms): Buford’s Gap (shown) or maybe Maggoty Gap, around Roanoke, VA:

• 73. This is the vicinity of the next two gaps he explored (we are uncertain which ones they were within this range), where he found the monster moccasin and green snakes:

• 74. Big Bald, probably Uda, in Yancey County, NC, where Aganunitsi found a great diya′hălĭ (lizard) basking:

• 75. Walâsi′yĭ—“Frog place,” where Aganunitsi saw “a great frog squatting in the gap.” Described as “Le Conte and Bullhead mountains in the Great Smoky range on the North Carolina-Tennessee line, together with the ridge extending into Sevier county, Tennessee, between the Middle and West forks of Little Pigeon river.” There is a Bullhead Trailhead in the park that takes you all across this area and right around the peak of Bullhead. The Frog could be on this mountain or in the gap to the west.

• 8. Gap of the Forked Antler. The Forked Antler is synonymous with Chimney Tops. There was some type of monstrous reptile in the gap below, probably near where the road is. The reptile may be in this gap or on the mountain. There was another at Atagahi. Chimney Tops is also an entrance to the Immortals’ world. Hike up to it from the trailhead, on the south side of Newfound Gap Road (on the right as you ascend). It’s a 3.6-mile hike. It’s before you get to the Alum Cave trailhead.

• 76. Tlanusi′yĭ, the Leech place, on Hiwassee, where he was rushed by two humongous sun-perches beneath the water when he dove down.

He even was awarded a vision of the enchanted heavenly lake, Atagahi, wherein he saw monstrous reptiles. Finally, at the southernmost peak of Gahuti (Cohutta Mountain, at Fort Mountain State Park), he found the sleeping Uktena. He went to the bottom of the mountain and dug a trench which he surrounded with pine cones. He set them on fire, then went back up the mountain. There he shot the sleeping Uktena in the heart under the seventh spot from the head with an arrow. With diamond a-flashing, the enraged Uktena awoke and pursued Aganunitsi. He ran down the mountain and bounded into his flaming circle. The Uktena entered its death throes just outside the fiery circle, knocking down trees as it rolled and sputtering poison and deadly vapors all about. The dark blood flowed down the slope and pooled into a lake (Fort Mountain Lake most likely) that was at one time so dark that women would afterwards dye cane splits there. Aganunitsi was triumphant, but a drop of the Uktena’s blood had alighted on his head during the demon’s agony. A small supernatural snake sprouted from this place on his head ever after.

Seven days after Uktena’s death, the birds and animals had picked Uktena’s corpse so clean that not even the bones remained. In the place where it had died, Aganunitsi found the Ulunsuti after it had been dropped on a low-hanging branch by a raven. It glowed in the dark. The possession of the Ulunsuti made him the most powerful magician in the tribe ever after.

The Stone Fort on Cohutta Mountain

The spot where Uktena slept is on Cohutta Mountain (SW of Fort Mountain Lake), but to the north on Fort Mountain is the customary resting place of the Uktena, marked by a rock wall that points at its northern end toward the position on the horizon where the sun rises on the summer solstice and the moon (whose spirit has something to do with romance) rises closest to the winter solstice. This was where the blazing diamond of Uktena was pointed towards when the demon lay charging his power at these pivotal moments in the year. 29 pits along the wall most likely correspond to 29.5 days for the lunar month, which was essential to computing corn planting time. (Source:  Rod Whited, “Mountain retains mystery of wall, Researchers theorize about reasons Indians built old stone structure” (August 20, 1997), The Huntsville Times). Aganunitsi reportedly built the ancient rock wall either to block the Uktena’s resting place or to have a fortification near at hand for his battle with it. It’s probable that it was initially constructed by the Immortals, strengthened and used by Aganunitsi, and enhanced again by Madoc and his moon-eyed Welshmen.

• 12. Gahuti (Cohutta) Mountain, with the Uktena blood lake below (to the NE), outside Chatsworth, GA. Gahuti Hiking Trail is marked. There is a trailhead at the north end near the stone fort, and one on the north shore of the lake.

Other Uktena Encounters and Locations

A conjurer killed an Uktena by wearing a leather suit, which somehow protected him from the Uktena’s attacks.

Another Uktena siting was at Datleyasta’i, “Where they fell down,” on Tuckaseegee River, at a bend above Webster, in Jackson Co., at the former town of Gansa’gi (Conasauga). Two Uktenas locked around each other in combat were seen rising out of a deep hole in the river and then plunging back into the water (405).

• 77. Vicinity of Datleyastai:

Uktenas were heard but not seen at Gatuti’yi, “town-building place,” near the head of Santeetla Creek, SW from Robbinsville, Graham Co. High up on the slopes of Stratton bald is a bench where a settlement was started but then abandoned because an Uktena was heard (407).

• 78. Gatutiyi, where an Uktena was heard (Sunset Overlook and Santeetlah Scenic Pull Off; elevation: 5390 ft. Those pull-offs are the best stops):

Ukte′na-tsuganûñ′tatsûñ′yĭ: A spot on Tuckaseegee River, about 2 miles above Deep Creek, near Bryson City, in Swain County, is where an Uktena, trying to make his way upstream, became fastened and in struggling to get free pried up some large rocks now lying in the bed of the river, and left deep scratches upon other rocks along the bank.

• 57. Vicinity of Ukte′na-tsuganûñ′tatsûñ′yĭ:

Ukte′na-utansi′nastûñ′yĭ: Another spot is a large rock on the Hyatt farm, on the north bank of Tuckaseegee River, about four miles above Bryson City, in Swain County: here in the rock bed of the stream and along the rocks on the side are wavy depressions an Uktena made in going up the river (410).

57. Vicinity of Ukte′na-utansi′nastûñ′yĭ:

A notorious Uktena haunt is in the deep valley between the heads of the Tuckaseegee and the northern branch of the Little Tennessee, the deep defile of the Nantahala, which is gloomy and forbidding, with old mossy rocks, and lofty cedars and pines (459).

• 79. Defile of the Nantahala (can be reached by various roads: Rainbow Springs Road and National Forest Road among them). To reach the northern half of the Nantahala River, follow US 19/129 north from Andrews. Continue on US 19 when US 129 splits northeast. US 19 connects with the Nantahala River just north of Beechertown.